No. 9 Oklahoma Sweeps Missouri In Softball Doubleheader

April 10, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The ninth-ranked Oklahoma softball team matched its best start in Big 12 Conference history with a doubleheader sweep of Missouri Wednesday afternoon at University Field to improve its league leading record to 9-0. The Sooners, who also moved to 36-8 overall, defeated the Tigers 8-1 in the first game and 3-1 in game two. Freshman Heather Scaglione provided the offensive highlights on the afternoon as she went deep twice, once in each game.

In the first game, OU recorded runs in all but two innings, including two in the second, fourth and fifth frames to break the game open. Junior rightfielder Jennifer Stump (2-for-3) and Scaglione (2-for-3) both hit solo homers to account for the lone runs in the first and sixth innings. Stump led off the game with her solo shot, her eighth of the year and fourth since moving into the leadoff role two weeks ago, to stake starting pitcher Kami Keiter (9-4) to an early 1-0 lead.

Oklahoma plated two more runs in the second frame to extend the lead to 3-0. After the first two batters of the inning reached on back-to-back walks, a sacrifice by freshman designated player Jessica Leslie (2-for-3) moved both runners up a base before senior left fielder Christy Ring (3-for-5) drove in the first run on a RBI-single and freshman first baseman Christina Enea (0-for-2) lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the second run.

Missouri answered with a lone run in the bottom of the inning as Missouri first baseman Erin Erickson (1-for-3) singled home shortstop Heather Kunkel (1-for-3) who had doubled two batters earlier.

Oklahoma again scored a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth innings to give OU a 7-1 advantage. With the bases loaded in the fourth inning, junior shortstop Kelli Braitsch (2-for-3) delivered a two out single to score two more runs. Then in the fifth, Keiter (0-for-3) reached on a two base error by the Tigers' centerfielder and, following Scaglione's single, crossed home plate two batters later on a single by Leslie. Scaglione scored the second of her three runs in the game after a walk to Enea with the bases loaded forced her in.

Keiter worked the first five innings of the contest and gave up only one run on five hits, while striking out three. She was relieved to begin the sixth inning by senior Angela Foster who surrendered only one hit over the final two frames.

In game two, the Sooners scored single runs in the third, fourth and seventh innings to provide the necessary run support in the game. Scaglione continued her hot hitting by collecting a career-high three hits, including her second home run of the day in the fourth inning.

Senior Jennifer Stewart improved to 15-3 on the year after tossing her 10th complete game of the season. Stewart finished with giving up only one run (unearned), four hits and striking out six.

Ring (2-for-4) led off the third frame with a base hit and, after moving to second base on a wild pitch, scored on a double by Enea (3-for-4). Enea and Ring connected again to score the third run of the game for the Sooners in the seventh inning when Ring led off with a single, stole second and scored on a RBI-single by the freshman catcher to put OU up 3-0.

Missouri's run came in the seventh inning when an error allowed the baserunner to score from first base.

The Sooners return home to host No. 18 Texas for a two-game weekend set beginning Saturday. Both games on Saturday and Sunday start at noon at the OU Softball Complex.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

No. 9 Oklahoma Sweeps Missouri In Softball Doubleheader

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